Icons of the Norwegian Fjords

Experience the three legendary hiking highlights of the Norwegian Fjords, sightseeing in beautiful Bergen and Old Stavanger, pancakes for breakfast on the pulpit rock, defy gravity on Kjerag's famous boulder and pose 700m above fjord level on Trolltunga!

Trolltunga, Kjerag and Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) must be the most famous rocks in the world, and all three of these rock stars lay nestled deep in the beautiful Norwegian Fjords. Trolltunga (1100m), a thin sliver of granite, juts out into space 700m above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, a breathtaking reward after a long and mighty hike. On Preikestolen (600m), it won’t just be about the stunning view, but about breakfast too, as you eat fresh pancakes cooked by our guide on the summit as the dawn rises. If you dare stand on Kjerag’s (1110m) gravity-defying boulder, that will be a memory and adrenaline rush of a lifetime. We’ve devised a week’s holiday that not only summits all three iconic rocks but recognizes that the Norwegian Fjords are another super-star attraction in itself.

Along with the great hiking, there’s time to discover Old Stavanger’s famous wooden houses and relax in the quaint and sleepy fjord-side town of Rosendal. The holiday ends in Bergen and an optional extra evening would give you the weekend to sightsee in this beautiful UNESCO world-heritage city. We have chosen accommodation of simple standard but beloved by Norwegians. Flørli Historic Hostel can only be reached by boat along Lysefjord, and we’ve booked the wood-fired hot tub overlooking the fjord for a post-Kjerag session. You find Preikestolen Mountain Lodge at the shores of idyllic Lake Refsvatn – you can choose to paddle, kayak or SUP on the lake on your free afternoon or take the challenge of Norway’s most extended zip wire. An iconic Norwegian bucket-list set in the magnificence of the Norwegian Fjords.

You can book the Adventure Tour in the menu to the right; please let us know if you have any questions. You can contact us at[email protected]

DIFFICULTY

Level 3 out of 5. Please read more about our level of difficulty here. The hardest hike is the hike to Trolltunga, it can take up to 12 hours all together. The other days will be about 4-6 hours of hiking. You should expect scrambling and the path is rocky and a bit slippery if it rains. You should have hiking experience from similar conditions. Good fitness and some hiking experience are also fine.

WHAT TO BRING?

Have a look at the full equipment list by clicking "Equipment list" in the menu above. You can leave your luggage in the car or at the accommodation each day, so when hiking, you only have to carry what you need for the day.

ACCOMMODATION

We stay at what we think are the most unique and welcoming accommodation in the area. If you travel alone you share a same-sex twin room, but it might also be possible with single rooms, please let us know if you would like to pay extra for this. Most nights we stay in en-suite rooms, but not all. The single supplement is 3000 NOK for the whole trip. If you want a single room we cant guarantee en-suite room. All meals are included as described in the day to day program.

BAGGAGE

There is no weight limit, other then what your airline has imposed, but, as the group and luggage will all have to fit into our minibus, we do ask you not to bring more than one main item of baggage and one daysack. You will only have to carry your daysack on this trip.

INSURANCE

You need a travel and health insurance, that also includes transportation back to your country. Remember to bring your insurance card/information.

LANGUAGES

The guide speaks English.

CHANGES MAY OCCUR

We reserve the right to make changes to the program, and the price. The day to day program is indicative, and changes may occur. Please have a look at our terms and conditions.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

Minimum: 5 people; Maximum: 16 people.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Professional nature guide

Accommodation for 6 nights

Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner (as described in the day to day program).

All local transport (ferries, buses, transfers etc)

Single timed airport transfers on arrival and departure

NOTINCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Drinks and snacks.

Any additional activities/excursions listed as optional

Travel insurance

Visas (if applicable)

DAY 1: Meet at the group hotel in Stavanger. A single timed airport transfer is provided. Afternoon tour of Stavanger.

There will be a single timed transfer from Stavanger Airport at 2:30 pm where your guide will meet you for the short journey to the hotel in Stavanger. Old Stavanger offers Europe's best preserved wooden house settlement, consisting of more than 170 white wooden houses. Stavanger is Norway's third largest city and has a lively atmosphere and a good selection of shops and restaurants. After a simple picnic lunch, the group will have a short tour of Old Stavanger followed by free time before getting together for our first group dinner in the evening.

AccommodationHotelMealsLD

Photo: Visit Norway

DAY 2: The ascent of Kjerag & Lysefjord 'The Fjord of Light'. Boat down Lysefjord to Flørli.

An early start this morning as we drive (2.5 hours) to the beginning of our first challenge - the ascent of Kjerag. At 1084 metres, Kjerag towers above the other peaks along the Lysefjord, and its rocky plateau offers world-class views of the fjord and its stunning mountains. We start our walk from the visitors' centre in Oygardsstolen, just southwest of the village of Lysebotn. Following a marked path, we will hike in rugged but beautiful terrain on this difficult trail, walking steeply upwards for about 3 hours. When reaching the summit, there are two main attractions. The first is the astonishing views from the northern side, a massive cliff plunging 984m almost straight down into Lysefjorden. The second is the Kjeragbolten, the iconic balancing boulder - a five cubic-metre glacial deposit wedged in the mountain's crevasse - suspended over that same 984m deep drop into the fjord. After our descent down the same path, we transfer 20 minutes to Lysebotn and enjoy an hour's ferry ride down Lysefjord, the 'Fjord of Light', looking back up the dramatic cliff of Kjerag. Upon reaching our charming fjord-side hostel in Florli, a roadless hamlet serviced by four ferries per day, we can enjoy the wood-fired hot tub before dinner.

DAY 3: Hike the 4444 Flørli steps to Heaven, the longest wooden staircase in the world. ferry to Forsand

Norwegians joke that the 4444 Florli steps lead you to heaven. While this may not be true, they certainly make for a breath-taking experience in every meaning of the word. Today we will climb this wooden staircase, one of the longest in the world. It is 1470m long with a height gain of 740m above the fjord. We'll end up well above the tree line where there are amazing views of the Lysefjord and toward the Preikestolen massive (where we will stay tonight). We do not descend the stairs but follow the old construction road to a mountain lake where we join an old farm road for a more gentle descent back down to the fjord. For those who do not want to climb the whole 4444 steps, there is an option to stop at 700 steps and visit the charming Florli tourist station before descending via a quiet narrow road. We will get the evening ferry down Lysefjord to Fredvang and transfer to Preikestolen Mountain Lodge.

DAY 4: a morning walk to the summit of Moslifjelllet followed by an afternoon of free time

Today we can walk straight out of our mountain lodge to walk up Moslifjellet which, at 718m, is just slightly higher than Preikestolen. The marked trails through the woods will be tranquil after we leave the Preikestolen path at the first plateau and follow a moraine ridge after the Lysefjord glacier. The top of the mountain is above the treeline so yet again we can enjoy spectacular views, this time across the archipelago and towards Stavanger. Back at the lodge, we have a free afternoon, to relax and choose some optional activities. There is a sandy beach for swimming in the Refsvatn Lake by the lodge, or you can choose to rent kayaks, canoes or SUPs for paddling on the lake. Nearby is Norway's longest zip wire if you need any additional thrills adding to the week.

DAY 5: Pancakes at dawn on the summit of pulpit rock. transfer to Rosendal

Today's hike starts in the dark before sunrise. With our headlamps on, we'll walk up deserted paths to Preikestolen, Pulpit Rock. It will take 2.5 hours to reach the iconic outcrop where we will catch the first rays of dawn breaking over Lysefjord. Also, your guide will make you pancakes for breakfast as you watch the sunrise. After that, long before the other tourists arrive, you'll be heading back down the same trail. We then go back for the drive to 4.5-hour drive Rosendal. On the way, we will stop for a break and a scenic picnic lunch. Rosendal has a very picturesque setting on the shores of Hardangerfjord, and there will be time to stroll through the small town down to water's edge. We'll have an early dinner at our hotel, as tomorrow we will tackle the holiday's most challenging summit.

DAY 6: The ascent of Trolls'Tongue of Fjord Norway

Trolltunga is, without a doubt, the biggest rock star of them all. Situated 1,100m above sea-level and jutting out 700m above Lake Ringedal, this is the summit that challenges even the experienced. Today we will start very early again to avoid any crowds, and we will eat a packed breakfast during the transfer (1 hr 30 minutes) at the start of our walk. The beginning of the trail is possibly the most bracing, with a very steep start on stone steps, some potentially slippy rock and a large rope in place to help steady you. However, the path begins to level out for about an hour, after which there is another significant climb on a high trail to a small picturesque mountain lake. Now the views will begin to reward you for the effort, although there is another major steep climb ahead. This hike is the last big effort, and at last, you will get your first view down to the beautiful down Lake Ringedal with the knowledge that the majority of the ascent is now over. A long undulating walk on the moonscape of the rocky plateau brings you eventually to Trolltunga, the most dramatic, iconic rock in Norway and surely the definition of a bucket-list achievement. After enjoying a very long moment to savour our victory, we will begin our 5-6 hour descent, returning the same way. A final transfer brings us to our comfortable hotel in Rosendal, which will be very much appreciated tonight, and it may even be worth braving the prices at the bar to celebrate!

It is also possible to remain in Rosendal today and enjoy some excellent sightseeing on foot. The Baroniet Rosendal is a manor house dating back to 1665 which is now a museum. A guided tour will give you a fascinating insight into Norwegian history and the Rosendal gardens built over 300 years, including a Renaissance rose garden. Nearby is an impressive medieval church built in the mid-1200s, the Kvinnherad. There are also plenty of other options to choose from including a full day by ferry on the Hardangerfjord or a tour of the Folgefonna glacier and a visit the new Folgefonna Centre in the National Park.

Day 7: departure day: single timed transfer to Bergen airport

There is a single timed transfer back to Bergen Airport. You could also take the opportunity to book an additional extra night and enjoy the weekend in the beautiful UNESCO world-heritage city of Bergen. There are many options to choose for an independent booking. It is easy to reach the airport from Bergen which is just a 30-minute bus ride away with a regular airport bus.

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Take a good look at this list, and make sure you bring everything you need. We encourage you to use what you have for this trip, and purchase items if youre missing something important on the list below. We have divided the gear list into three categories:

1) Required:If you do not own this gear, you must acquire it for your trip.

2) Recommended:Gear we suggest to be comfortable, but it is not imperative.

3) Optional: Fun, additional luxuries.

Layering is extremely important in a variable climate like Norway. This list will guide you through the essentials. Remember the Norwegian saying "There is no bad weather, only bad gear", and prepare appropriately for any weather. You can read about weather where youre traveling here.

The video below is for SUMMER gear, despite the snow in the background. Welcome to Norway!

We always recommend wool in the Norwegian Mountains, but if you already have synthetic layers and don't want to buy new ones, synthetic is okay.

REQUIRED:

BASE LAYER

Wool long-sleeved top and bottom.

MID-LAYER

A medium thickness wool or fleece top.

INSULATED JACKET

A warm jacket for breaks and before after hiking. We recommend a puffy jacket with down or synthetic. Something equivalant in warmth is also okay.

SHELL / RAIN JACKET

Gore-Tex or similar is mandatory. Extrememly important in Norwegian climate. The jacket must be waterproof, have a hood, and make sure you don’t get wet even if it rains all day. We recommend jackets with pit zips for ventilation.

HIKING PANTS

Hiking pants comfortable for all day wear. Should fit your long underwear beneathe and fit under your rain shell pants if you choose to bring some. Zip off into shorts or an additional pair of shorts is option.